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A law that forces schools in Alabama to teach kids that homosexuality is “not acceptable” could finally be lifted in the state. Alabama is one of seven states with so-called ‘no promo homo’ laws, which actively restrict schools teaching about homosexuality. It says: “Course materials and instruction that relate to sexual education or sexually transmitted diseases should include … an emphasis, in a factual manner and from a public health perspective, that homosexuality is not a lifestyle acceptable to the general public and that homosexual conduct is a criminal offense under the laws of the state.”

South Africa's queer community joined the rest of the globe this week in celebrating the election of new president Cyril Ramaphosa, who has long been a champion of LGBTQ+ rights in the country and the continent. Ramaphosa takes office following the resignation of Jacob Zuma, whose stance on LGBTQ+ rights has been less than glowing. In 2006, he reportedly said: "Same-sex marriage is a disgrace to the nation and to God," and his tenure was marked by a number of homophobic sleights.Perhaps the most insulting of these was Zuma's appointment, from 2010 to 2014, of Jon Qwelane as South African ambassador to Uganda – a country struggling with homophobic bigotry of its own – after Qwelane had been found guilty of hate-speech by the Human Rights Commission for a newspaper column in which he equated same-sex marriage to bestiality.

A young lesbian couple in Alabama have been told that they will now been allowed to attend school prom together. The women attend Alexandria High School in Calhoun County. On 30 January, Janizia Ross, 17, asked her girlfriend if she would attend the school prom as her date. Her girlfriend, Raven (who prefers not to give her surname), was performing in a school talent show. After she finished her performance at Alexandria High School, Ross got up on stage to ask her to the prom. This led to disciplinary action from the school. Officialspromptly suspended Ross.

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